Dan James was Leeds United’s Player of the Season last time round. But the Welshman hasn’t started this season all that well.
Dan James enjoyed his best-ever season for Leeds United last time round, scoring 12 goals and assisting nine more in 36 total games.
Scooping the Player of the Season award, many expect this season to be the season where James finally cracks the Premier League. So far though, he’s not shown that he’s ready to do that.
Leeds United fans have been critical of James’ performances so far, so too have the Welsh media who said James didn’t play well in the friendly defeat against Canada on Tuesday night.
With wingers few and far between at Elland Road, Daniel Farke could be tempted to turn towards the youth academy to add some exciting new competition to the ranks.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty ImagesLeeds United have a Dan James 2.0 in the making
Leeds have a very impressive U21s squad with several players starting to make names for themselves, the main one of course being Harry Gray. But Josh McDonald is another who’s seemingly getting better and better, with Leeds showing their faith in the 18-year-old this summer, handing him a new deal right until 2028.
A Scotland U17s international, McDonald suffered an injury setback last season but is back this time round. Speaking at the start of summer when he penned his new deal, McDonald gave Leeds United fans an insight into his style of play, and he certainly sounds a lot like James and how he plays.
McDonald told the club: “I would say I am a one-on-one player. I want to go out and beat the man. I like playing exciting football and getting the fans up.”
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McDonald is completely lacking in first-team experience, but Farke may have to seriously consider promoting the teenager and other attackers within the youth ranks, with Leeds lacking up top.
Leeds United sent Largie Ramazani out on loan to Valencia before the window slammed shut, and it’s a decision that already seems to have come back to haunt them after failing to sign a replacement on deadline day.
Noah Okafor now has a lot of pressure to step up, with Wilfried Gnonto, Jack Harrison and James the only other options on the flanks.
Any injuries on the wing would leave Farke light and so he could be tempted into giving players like McDonald some first-team exposure, even if it’s just on the bench, so that he has some options should someone like James pick up an injury.
But the Welshman will still get plenty of time to get back into form: if he can do that then Leeds’ attacking woes could quickly ease.